Khairy criticises Ambiga’s ‘Bersih’ call

(BERNAMA) – Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has reminded Bersih rally chairperson Datuk S. Ambiga not to hold the government to ransom by threatening to hold another street demonstration if election-reform measures were not carried out.

Khairy said the Election Commission had agreed to use indelible ink and was considering other proposals, including cleaning up the electoral rolls.

“Many demands made by Bersih had been implemented and there is no need for Ambiga to threaten the government,” he told reporters after launching the Barisan Nasional Youth Ride Fest 2012 here Tuesday.

In a news conference earlier Tuesday, Ambiga said she might hold another rally if election-reform measures demanded during the Bersih street protest on July 8 last year were not met.

Khairy said government had set up the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform made up of members of Parliament from the Barisan, PAS, DAP, and Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

The two-day Barisan Youth Ride Fest, which will be flagged off in Malacca on Feb 17, will take participants through Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Putrajaya before ending at Dataran Merdeka.

The event entails a free and easy jamboree ride, which is opened to all, and a professional elite race for professional and novice cyclists with the grand prize of RM40,000 up for grab.